Oldner, Ex Parte Kelly Marie
Date Filed2017-12-22
DocketPD-1214-17
Cited0 times
StatusPublished
Full Opinion (html_with_citations)
PD-1214-17
COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
AUSTIN, TEXAS
Transmitted 12/22/2017 3:19 PM
Accepted 12/22/2017 4:20 PM
NO. PD-1214-17 DEANA WILLIAMSON
CLERK
FILED
IN THE TEXAS COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
12/22/2017
DEANA WILLIAMSON, CLERK
KELLY MARIE OLDNER
Petitioner
v.
STATE OF TEXAS
Respondent
Case No. 10-16-00096-CR
from the Tenth Court of Appeals, Waco, Texas
Cause No. M201202002
from the Johnson County Court at Law Number One
Honorable Robert Mayfield, Presiding Judge
RESPONSE TO PETITION FOR DISCRETIONARY REVIEW BY
THE STATE OF TEXAS, RESPONDENT
BILL MOORE COLBY RIDEOUT
JOHNSON COUNTY ATTORNEY Assistant County Attorney
Guinn Justice Center Guinn Justice Center
204 South Buffalo Avenue 204 South Buffalo Avenue
4th Floor, Suite 410 4th Floor, Suite 410
Cleburne, Texas 76033-5404 Cleburne, Texas 76033-5404
Telephone: 817.556.6330 Telephone: 817.556.6330
Facsimile: 817.556.6331 Facsimile: 817.556.6331
efilecao@johnsoncountytx.org efilecao@johnsoncountytx.org
State Bar No. 14321100 State Bar No. 24073106
ORAL ARGUMENT NOT REQUESTED
i
IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL
Hon. Robert Mayfield ........................................................................ Presiding Judge
County Court at Law No. One
Guinn Justice Center
204 South Buffalo Avenue
Cleburne, Texas 76033
Hon. Chief Justice Gray .................................................................. Presiding Justices
Hon. Justice Davis
Hon. Justice Scoggins
Tenth Court of Appeals
McLennan County Courthouse
501 Washington Avenue, Room 415
Waco, Texas 76701-1373
Kelly Marie Oldner ...................................................................................... Petitioner
Hon. William Mason ....................................................... Trial Counsel for Petitioner
P.O. Box 767
Cleburne, Texas 76033
817.556.3223
wgmlaw@gmail.com
Hon. George B. Mackey ........................................ Appellate Counsel for Petitioner
121 N. Rayner
Fort Worth, Texas 76111
817.336.1008
gmackey1@me.com
Hon. Bill Moore ........................................................... Trial Counsel for Respondent
Hon. Stuart Madison
204 South Buffalo Avenue
4th Floor, Suite 410
Cleburne, Texas 76033-5404
817.556.6330
efilecao@johnsoncountytx.org
ii
Hon. Bill Moore ................................................... Appellate Counsel for Respondent
Hon. Colby Rideout
204 South Buffalo Avenue
4th Floor, Suite 410
Cleburne, Texas 76033-5404
817.556.6330
efilecao@johnsoncountytx.org
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Identity of Parties and Counsel ................................................................................. ii
Table of Contents ......................................................................................................iv
Index of Authorities ..................................................................................................vi
Statement of the Case................................................................................................. 2
Statement of the Procedural History .......................................................................... 3
Response to Grounds for Review .............................................................................. 3
Arguments .................................................................................................................. 4
Preliminary Statement ..................................................................................... 4
Response to Ground One ................................................................................. 6
Petitioner, first, failed to preserve her false evidence complaint for
appellate review. Second, Petitionerâs false evidence complaint is
without merit. She was not denied a fair trial and was not denied due
process of law because Petitioner fails to establish by a preponderance
of the evidence that the false testimony was material to the judgment.
The Court of Appealsâ decision to overrule Petitionerâs claim was not a
departure from the accepted and usual course of judicial proceedings,
and this Court need not exercise its power of supervision.
Response to Ground Two .............................................................................. 14
Petitioner failed to meet her burden of proving her ineffective assistance
claim under the Strickland test by a preponderance of the evidence. The
Court of Appealsâ decision to overrule Petitionerâs claim that her trial
counsel was ineffective was not a departure from the accepted and usual
course of judicial proceedings, and this Court need not exercise its
power of supervision.
Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 20
Prayer ....................................................................................................................... 20
iv
Certificate of Compliance ........................................................................................ 22
Certificate of Service ............................................................................................... 22
v
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
RULES
Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 40.001 ............................................................................. 9
Tex. R. App. Proc. 21.3.............................................................................................. 9
Tex. R. App. Proc. 21.4.............................................................................................. 9
Tex. R. App. Proc. 33.1 .................................................................. 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 17
CASES
Alvarado v. State, No. 04-03-00289-CR, 2006 WL 332536 (Tex. App.âSan
Antonio 2006, pet. refâd) .............................................................................. 17
Clayton v. State, No. 10-06-00254, 2007 WL 2875021 (Tex. App.âWaco
February 6, 2008, pet. refâd) (mem. op., not designated for publication)
.............................................................................................................. 8, 9, 11
Ex parte De La Cruz, 466 S.W.3d 855(Tex. Crim. App. 2015) .............7, 10, 12, 14 Ex parte Evans,410 S.W.3d 481
(Tex. App.âFort Worth 2013, pet. refâd)
.............................................................................................. 4, 6, 8, 11, 12, 17
Ex parte Ghahremani, 332 S.W.3d 470(Tex. Crim. App. 2011) ............................. 7 Ex parte Jimenez,364 S.W.3d 866
(Tex. Crim. App. 2012)................................... 15 Ex parte Jones,473 S.W.3d 850
(Tex. App.âHouston [14th Dist.] 2015, pet.
refâd) .......................................................................................................... 6, 14
vi
Ex parte Oldner, No. 10-16-00096-CR, 2017 WL 4542985 (Tex. App.âWaco
Oct. 11, 2017) (mem. op., not designated for public opinion) ........................ 2
Ex parte Tutton, No. 10-14-00360-CR, 2015 WL 4384496 (Tex. App.âWaco July
9, 2015, pet. refâd) (mem. op., not designated for publication)
...............................................................................................................4, 8, 12
Ex parte Weinstein, 421 S.W.3d 656(Tex. Crim. App. 2014) ............................8, 14 Haliburton v. State,80 S.W.3d 309
(Tex. App.âFort Worth 2002, no pet) ......9, 11 Jackson v. State,973 S.W.2d 954
(Tex. Crim. App. 1998).....................................16 King v. State,649 S.W.2d 42
(Tex. Crim. App. 1983) ............................................ 17 Napue v. Illinois,360 U.S. 264
,79 S. Ct. 1173
,3 L. Ed. 2d 1217
(1959) ................ 7 Oldner v. State, No. 04-13-00458-CR,2014 WL 3013135
(Tex. App.âSan
Antonio July 2, 2014, pet. refâd) (mem. op.,
not designated for publication) ........................................................................ 2
Perez v. State, 403 S.W.3d 246(Tex. App.âHouston [14th Dist.] 2008), affâd,310 S.W.3d 890
(Tex. Crim. App. 2010)............................................ 16, 17, 18, 19 Ramirez v. State,96 S.W.3d 386
(Tex. App.âAustin 2002, pet. refâd) ................... 7 Robertson v. State,187 S.W.3d 475
(Tex. Crim. App. 2006) .................................. 16 Rylander v. State,101 S.W.3d 107
(Tex. Crim. App. 2003).................. 15, 16, 18, 19 State v. Romero,962 S.W.2d 143
(Tex. App.âHouston [1st Dist.] 1997,
no pet.) ............................................................................................................. 4
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 687,104 S. Ct. 2052
,80 L. Ed. 2d 674
(1984) ...
..................................................................................................... 15, 17, 18, 19
Thompson v. State, 9 S.W.3d 808 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999) ..................................... 16
vii
NO. PD-1214-17
IN THE TEXAS COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
KELLY MARIE OLDNER
Petitioner
v.
STATE OF TEXAS
Respondent
Case No. 10-16-00096-CR
from the Tenth Court of Appeals, Waco, Texas
Cause No. M201202002
from the Johnson County Court at Law Number One
Honorable Robert Mayfield, Presiding Judge
RESPONSE TO PETITION FOR DISCRETIONARY REVIEW BY
THE STATE OF TEXAS, RESPONDENT
TO THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS:
COMES NOW, Respondent, the State of Texas (hereinafter known as âthe
Stateâ) and respectfully submits this Response to Petition for Discretionary Review
filed by Petitioner, KELLY MARIE OLDNER, in the above-styled and numbered
cause.
1
References to the Reporterâs Record from Petitionerâs jury trial shall be
denoted as âTRR,â and references to the Clerkâs Record shall be denoted as
âTCR.â References to the Reporterâs Record from the hearing on the writ
application will be denoted as âWRR,â and references to the Clerkâs Record on the
Writ Application will be denoted as âWCR.â References to the Supplemental
Reporterâs Record will be denoted as âSRR.â
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
A jury convicted Petitioner of a Class B misdemeanor theft. TCR I: 41-44.
The jury assessed punishment at 90 days jail, probated for one year, with the
condition that she serve 72 hours in jail and other terms and conditions of
probation. TCR I: 45. The Fourth Court of Appeals affirmed Petitionerâs conviction
on July 2, 2014. See Oldner v. State, No. 04-13-00458-CR, 2014 WL 3013135(Tex. App.âSan Antonio July 2, 2014, pet. refâd) (mem. op., not designated for publication). Her petition for discretionary review was refused on November 5, 2014.Id.
Petitioner filed her Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus on or about January 20, 2016. WCR I: 4-10 (Application). On March 11, 2016, the trial court conducted a hearing on the application and denied her writ. WRR II: 1-13. The Tenth Court of Appeals affirmed the trial courtâs order. See Ex parte Oldner, No. 10-16-00096-CR,2017 WL 4542985
(Tex. App.âWaco Oct. 11, 2017) (mem.
2
op., not designated for publication). Petitioner now seeks discretionary review
from this Court.
STATEMENT OF THE PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Nature of the Case: Petitioner Kelly Marie Oldner was charged on December
3, 2012, by information, for a Class B misdemeanor
Theft. A jury convicted Petitioner Kelly Marie Oldner of
the same and assessed punishment on or about May 8,
2013. On July 2, 2014, the Fourth Court of Appeals
affirmed Petitionerâs conviction, and on November 5,
2014, the Petition for Discretionary Review was refused.
Petitioner filed an Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus
on or about January 20, 2016. Following a hearing on or
about March 11, 2016, the trial court denied her writ.
Petitioner appealed the trial courtâs denial of her writ.
Trial Court Judge: Honorable Robert Mayfield.
Trial Court: County Court at Law Number One, Johnson County.
Disposition: The Tenth Court of Appeals affirmed the lower courtâs
denial of Petitionerâs writ and issued a memorandum
opinion on or about October 11, 2017.
Parties: Kelly Marie Oldner as Petitioner and the State of Texas
as Respondent.
Court of Appeals: Tenth Court of Appeals in Waco, Texas.
Justices: Honorable Chief Justice Gray, Honorable Justice Davis,
and Honorable Justice Scoggins. Memorandum Opinion
by Honorable Justice Davis.
RESPONSE TO GROUNDS FOR REVIEW
RESPONSE TO GROUND ONE: Petitioner, first, failed to preserve
her false evidence complaint for appellate review. Second, Petitionerâs
false evidence complaint is without merit. She was not denied a fair
trial and was not denied due process of law because Petitioner fails to
establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the false testimony
was material to the judgment. The Court of Appealsâ decision to
overrule Petitionerâs claim was not a departure from the accepted and
usual course of judicial proceedings, and this Court need not exercise
its power of supervision.
3
RESPONSE TO GROUND TWO: Petitioner failed to meet her
burden of proving her ineffective assistance claim under the
Strickland test by a preponderance of the evidence. The Court of
Appealsâ decision to overrule Petitionerâs claim that her trial counsel
was ineffective was not a departure from the accepted and usual
course of judicial proceedings, and this Court need not exercise its
power of supervision.
ARGUMENTS
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
A complainant may not raise new issues on appeal that she did not bring
before the trial court in her writ application. TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1; Ex parte Evans,
410 S.W.3d 481, 485(Tex. App.âFort Worth 2013, pet. refâd) (citing State v. Romero,962 S.W.2d 143, 144
(Tex. App.âHouston [1st Dist.] 1997, no pet.)) (declining to consider grounds not pled in the writ of habeas corpus, even when the complaints were mentioned in passing during the writ hearing); see also, e.g., Ex parte Tutton, No. 10-14-00360-CR,2015 WL 4384496
at *3 (Tex. App.âWaco
July 9, 2015, pet. refâd) (mem. op., not designated for publication).
Petitionerâs Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus (which is the subject of
this appeal) alleged that her trial counsel provided ineffective assistance in the
following six ways:
1. Failing to object to the manner in which the law of parties was applied in the
courtâs charge;
4
2. Failing to call the other parties to her offense to testify in her defense;
3. Failing to object to the way that the courtâs charge defined âappropriation;â
4. Failing to object to the prosecutorâs jury argument;
5. Failing to object to the courtâs charge regarding the determination of the
value of property; and
6. Failing to object to the courtâs instruction on legal rights of possession in
paragraph 3.
WCR I: 7-9. After conducting a hearing on the application the trial court denied
Petitionerâs request for relief. WCR I: 27. Petitioner appealed the trial courtâs
denial of her application on two new grounds that were not pled in her application:
(1) the prosecutor at her trial submitted false evidence; and (2) her trial counsel
provided ineffective assistance by failing to investigate whether other parties to her
offense had been arrested or charged.
Petitionerâs complaints to the Tenth Court of Appeals were only mentioned
in passing during her writ hearing, and none of them were pled in her Application.
See WCR I: 7-9; WRR II: 1-13. Accordingly, the record is not sufficiently
developed for this Court to judge the merits of Petitionerâs claims, and the trial
court has not had the necessary opportunity to review evidence or rule on the bases
of these new complaints. Therefore, due to Petitionerâs failure to present a
cognizable claim, this Court should overrule Petitionerâs complaints and affirm the
5
lower courtâs judgment. See TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1; Ex parte Evans, 410 S.W.3d at
485.
RESPONSE TO GROUND ONE
Petitioner, first, failed to preserve her false evidence complaint for
appellate review. Second, Petitionerâs false evidence complaint is
without merit. She was not denied a fair trial and was not denied due
process of law because Petitioner fails to establish by a preponderance
of the evidence that the false testimony was material to the judgment.
The Court of Appealsâ decision to overrule Petitionerâs claim was not a
departure from the accepted and usual course of judicial proceedings,
and this Court need not exercise its power of supervision.
A. Standard of Review
A trial courtâs denial of a writ of habeas corpus is reviewed for abuse of
discretion. Ex parte Jones, 473 S.W.3d 850, 853(Tex. App.âHouston [14th Dist.] 2015, pet. refâd). The applicant seeking post-conviction habeas relief bears the burden of establishing by a preponderance of the evidence that the facts entitle her to relief.Id.
âThe trial court is the sole finder of fact in a habeas proceeding.âId.
When reviewing a trial courtâs denial of relief, the courts view the facts in the light most favorable to the trial courtâs ruling.Id.
Appellate courts afford almost total deference to the trial courtâs findings, especially when those findings are based on the evaluation of demeanor and credibility.Id.
A trial courtâs judgment is upheld if it is correct on any theory of law applicable to the case.Id.
6
B. Applicable Law
Convictions based on material false evidence violate a defendantâs due-
process rights regardless of whether its falsity is known to the State at the time of
trial. Ex parte De La Cruz, 466 S.W.3d 855, 866(Tex. Crim. App. 2015); see also Ex parte Ghahremani,332 S.W.3d 470, 477
(Tex. Crim. App. 2011). â[T]he same result obtains when the prosecution, âalthough not soliciting false evidence, allows it to go uncorrected when it appears.ââ Ramirez v. State,96 S.W.3d 386, 394
(Tex. App.âAustin 2002, pet. refâd) (quoting Napue v. Illinois,360 U.S. 264, 269
,79 S. Ct. 1173
,3 L. Ed. 2d 1217
(1959)). It is irrelevant whether the prosecutor actually knows that the evidence is false; it is enough that the prosecutor should have recognized the misleading nature of the evidence. Ex parte Ghahremani,332 S.W.3d at 477
. There is no requirement that false testimony rose to the level of criminal perjury because the rule is designed to ensure that the defendant is convicted and sentenced only on truthful testimony.Id.
In order to be entitled to relief on a false evidence claim, an applicant must
show that (1) false evidence was presented at his trial, and (2) the false evidence
was material to the juryâs verdict of guilt. Ex parte De La Cruz, 466 S.W.3d at 866. An applicant must establish both falsity and materiality by a preponderance of the evidence.Id.
In determining whether a particular piece of evidence has been
demonstrated to be false, the Court asks whether the testimony, taken as a whole,
7
gives the jury a false impression. Id.Improper suggestions, insinuations, and insinuations of personal knowledge constitute false testimony.Id.
False testimony is material if there is a reasonable likelihood that it affected the judgment of the jury. See Ex parte Weinstein,421 S.W.3d 656, 665
(Tex. Crim. App. 2014). This standard requires the beneficiary of the error to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the error did not contribute to the verdict obtained. See Ex parte Ghahremani,332 S.W.3d at 478
.
C. Application
1. Petitioner Fails to Present a Cognizable Claim
Petitioner fails to bring a cognizable claim of false evidence before this Court
because the factual basis for which she now seeks relief was not pled in her
application. TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1; Ex parte Evans, 410 S.W.3d at 485; see also, e.g., Ex parte Tutton, No. 10-14-00360-CR,2015 WL 4384496
at *3. Petitionerâs
claims of false evidence and prosecutorial misconduct were not pled in her writ
application and were only mentioned in passing during her writ hearing. WCR I: 7-
9; WRR II: 1-13. Accordingly, this Court should overrule Petitionerâs first ground
for failure to bring a cognizable claim.
Furthermore, allegations of false evidence must be preserved for appellate
review by an objection. See Clayton v. State, No. 10-06-00254, 2007 WL 2875021
at *1 (Tex. App.âWaco February 6, 2008, pet. refâd) (mem. op., not designated
8
for publication) (citing Haliburton v. State, 80 S.W.3d 309, 315(Tex. App.âFort Worth 2002, no pet)). Nothing in the record indicates that Petitioner presented an objection to the trial court on the basis of false evidence. See Clayton, No. 10-06- 00254,2007 WL 2875021
at *1 (citing Haliburton,80 S.W.3d at 315
). If the affidavits propounded by Petitioner are to be believed, they show that she was aware of the basis of her âfalse evidenceâ complaint on May 13, 2013; just four days after her conviction and well within the amount of time for her to make a motion for new trial based on the discovery of that evidence. See TEX. CODE CRIM. P. Art. 40.001; TEX. R. APP. P. 21.3; TEX. R. APP. P. 21.4; WRR III: Defendantâs Exhibits 1 and 2. Instead, Petitioner did nothing, waiting nearly three years to raise this complaint, rather than presenting her objection in a timely manner while the trial court retained jurisdiction to hold a hearing on a motion for new trial. Petitioner should not be rewarded for her failure to present her objection in a timely manner when she was required to preserve her complaint. See Clayton, No. 10-06- 00254,2007 WL 2875021
at *1 (citing Haliburton,80 S.W.3d at 315
).
Accordingly, this Court should overrule her objection to the evidence and sustain
the order of the trial court.
2. Petitioner Fails to Establish the Falsity of the Evidence
Petitioner argues the evidence was falsely submitted by the Stateâs witnesses;
that is the witnesses testified that both of her co-conspirators had been arrested and
9
charged at the time of her trial. During none of the complained of portions of
testimony did Zachary Hays or Jason Stone testify whether they knew if the other
party had been arrested. See TRR III: 35-36, 40, 50-51. Accordingly, Petitionerâs
accusation of prosecutorial misconduct, which is based on her inaccurate reading of
the trial record, is frivolous, without any basis in the record, and should be
overruled outright.
More to the point, Petitionerâs defense counsel clarified that when he said
âcharged,â he meant where â. . . Target turns over their â their investigation to the
police department.â TRR III: 50-51. Jason Stone responded affirmatively. TRR III:
50-51. Therefore, the most that can be said is that the testimony raised a conflicting
inference of what defense counsel meant by using the word âchargedâ because
âchargedâ appears to be capable of meaning several different things, ranging from
the Target store submitting its investigation to police for charges, to charges being
formally brought by the police department or prosecutorâs office. Conflicting
testimony, without more, does not support a finding of falsity. See Ex parte De La
Cruz, 466 S.W.3d at 871. In such cases the habeas court defers to the juryâs determination of weight and credibility of the evidence.Id. at 870-71
. Accordingly, it cannot be said that Petitioner has carried her burden of establishing falsity of the objected-to testimony by a preponderance of the evidence. Ex parte De La Cruz,466 S.W.3d at 866
.
10
The only other testimony regarding whether anyone else had been charged or
arrested was offered by Officer Bauereisen in response to the prosecutorâs question
regarding the meaning of âout-of-custody.â TRR III: 58-59. The prosecutor asked,
âOk. And to your knowledge were charges filed on those two persons out-of-
custody.â TRR III: 58. Bauereisen answered affirmatively. TRR III: 58. The
prosecutor followed up with the question, âAnd by out-of-custody, would you -- I
guess -- Let me ask you to tell the jury what out-of-custody means.â TRR III: 58-
59. Bauereisen responded,
They were not on scene and I did not witness them to be on scene, they
had already left, so we filed out-of-custody on them for later; meaning
the detectives kind of took over the written report, they filed for an
arrest warrant and presented the case and were able to get a warrant and
they were later arrested at another time.
TRR III: 59.
Petitioner just now asserts that Officer Bauereisenâs testimony was false,
although she could have objected during trial, in a motion for new trial, in her writ
application, and in her prior appeal. TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1; Ex parte Evans, 410
S.W.3d at 485; Clayton, No. 10-06-00254,2007 WL 2875021
at *1 (citing Haliburton,80 S.W.3d at 315
). Had she objected timely, the context of the
testimony raises the possibility that Bauereisenâs testimony created a conflicting
inference of whether she was describing police procedure generally, or whether she
was testifying to her personal knowledge of whether the other parties had actually
11
been charged and arrested. See Ex parte De La Cruz, 466 S.W.3d at 871. Regardless, this Court is not properly positioned to determine the falsity or veracity of any of the discussed testimony because Petitionerâs allegations of falsity have never been the subject of an evidentiary hearing, which would develop the necessary record evidence regarding the truthfulness of the statements and whether Petitionerâs proffered affidavits are truthful or credible. Therefore, based on the record available to the Court, Petitioner cannot carry her burden of proving falsity and her first point of error should be overruled. Id.; TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1; Ex parte Evans,410 S.W.3d at 485
; see also, e.g., Ex parte Tutton, No. 10-14-00360-CR,2015 WL 4384496
at *3.
3. Petitioner Fails to Establish the Materiality of the Evidence
The jury heard evidence that, for two people who she knew, Petitioner
provided unauthorized discounts and failed to charge for certain items because she
wanted to give her friends a discount. TRR III: 17-18, 48. The jury heard that the
total value lost by Target for the marked-down and uncharged items was $495.85.
TRR III: 41. Petitioner also admitted to the jury that she sold a $24 bathmat for $5,
a $49.99 DustBuster for $10, $1 for a $5 pair of socks, $5 for a $24.99 throw, $5 for
a $25.99 bathmat, and $10 for a DVD player. TRR III: 83-86. She admitted that she
gave discounts of over $26 for five different DVDs, and charged only $5 for
another DVD player. TRR III: 87. Finally, Petitioner admitted that the only two
12
people who received such massive mark downs that day were her friends. TRR III:
92-93.
In addition to the witnessesâ testimony, the jury saw the video evidence
against Petitioner and was able to determine for themselves whether the video was
consistent with her claim that she did not notice the unpaid items, and that she was
being asked to price match the items she marked down. See TRR III: 22-26, 75, 87;
SRR I: Stateâs Exhibits No. 1 & No. 2. Finally, neither the prosecutor nor defense
counsel mentioned whether the other parties had been arrested or charged for the
offense during opening and closing arguments. TRR II: 73-78; TRR IV: 6-21; TRR
IV: 35-42.
Thus, contrary to Petitionerâs suggestion, the record demonstrates that
nobody at Petitionerâs trial created the impression on the jury that they should find
her guilty based on greater evidence of her co-conspirators guilt, which could be
inferred from whether they had been charged or arrested for theft. Rather,
Petitionerâs conviction was based solely on the strength of the evidence against her,
and not the strength of the evidence against her co-conspirators. Petitionerâs
implication that the State sought its conviction on some theory of imputed guilt or
guilt by association requires a completely inaccurate interpretation of the record.
Petitioner was not convicted because the other parties to her crime were guilty; she
was convicted because the State proved she was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
13
Assuming for the sake of argument that the objected-to testimony was false,
the absence of any argument of Petitionerâs implied guilt imputed from the apparent
guilt other parties further demonstrates that the Stateâs case relied solely on the
strength of the evidence against her. Therefore, there is no reasonable likelihood
that the outcome of Petitionerâs trial might have been different absent any reference
to the arrest or charging of the other parties. See Ex parte Weinstein, 421 S.W.3d at
665. Considering the great weight of the foregoing evidence and other evidence adduced at trial Petitioner has failed to carry her burden of establishing materiality by a preponderance of the evidence. Ex parte De La Cruz,466 S.W.3d at 866
.
Accordingly, the Court should overrule Petitionerâs first point of error.
RESPONSE TO GROUND TWO
Petitioner failed to meet her burden of proving her ineffective
assistance claim under the Strickland test by a preponderance of the
evidence. The Court of Appealsâ decision to overrule Petitionerâs claim
that her trial counsel was ineffective was not a departure from the
accepted and usual course of judicial proceedings, and this Court need
not exercise its power of supervision.
A. Standard of Review
A trial courtâs denial of a writ of habeas corpus is reviewed for abuse of
discretion. Ex parte Jones, 473 S.W.3d at 853. The applicant seeking post- conviction habeas relief bears the burden of establishing by a preponderance of the evidence that the facts entitle her to relief.Id.
âThe trial court is the sole finder of
14
fact in a habeas proceeding.â Id.When reviewing a trial courtâs denial relief, the courts view the facts in the light most favorable to the trial courtâs ruling.Id.
Appellate courts afford almost total deference to the trial courtâs findings, especially when those findings are based on the evaluation of demeanor and credibility.Id.
A trial courtâs judgment is upheld if it is correct on any theory of law applicable to the case.Id.
B. Applicable Law
To establish an ineffective assistance claim, the complaining party must show
that (1) her counselâs performance fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness, and (2) but for counselâs unprofessional error, there is a reasonable
probability the result of the proceedings would have been different. Strickland v.
Washington, 466 U.S. 687, 687-94,104 S. Ct. 2052, 2064-68
,80 L. Ed. 2d 674
(1984); Ex parte Jimenez,364 S.W.3d 866, 882-83
(Tex. Crim. App. 2012). A reasonable probability is a âprobability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.â Strickland,466 U.S. at 694
,104 S. Ct. at 2068
. Failure to establish either prong defeats an ineffective assistance claim. Rylander v. State,101 S.W.3d 107, 110
(Tex. Crim. App. 2003).
Texas courts indulge the strong presumption that counselâs conduct fell
within the wide range of reasonable assistance. Ex parte Jimenez, 364 S.W.3d 883.
An attorneyâs conduct is judged by the totality of the representation, not by isolated
15
acts or omissions. Id.â[T]he test is applied from the viewpoint of an attorney at the time he acted, not through 20/20 hindsight.âId.
The complaining party bears the burden of proving her ineffective assistance claim by a preponderance of the evidence. Robertson v. State,187 S.W.3d 475, 483
(Tex. Crim. App. 2006).
An allegation of ineffective assistance must be firmly founded in the record.
Thompson v. State, 9 S.W.3d 808, 813(Tex. Crim. App. 1999). Appellate courts often comment that an undeveloped record usually cannot adequately reflect a trial attorneyâs reasons for his conduct, particularly when the alleged deficiencies are matters of omission rather than commission. See, e.g., Jackson v. State,973 S.W.2d 954, 957
(Tex. Crim. App. 1998). Trial counsel should normally be afforded the opportunity to explain his actions before being denounced as ineffective. Rylander,101 S.W.3d at 111
. When the record is silent regarding the reasons for counselâs conduct, a finding of ineffectiveness generally requires impermissible speculation. Perez v. State,403 S.W.3d 246, 250
(Tex. App.â Houston [14th Dist.] 2008), affâd,310 S.W.3d 890
(Tex. Crim. App. 2010).
A defense attorney has a duty to make an independent investigation of the
facts of the case, which includes seeking out and interviewing potential witnesses.
Perez, 403 S.W.3d at 250. A breach of the duty to investigate may cause ineffectiveness where it results in a viable defense not being advanced.Id.
The
Courtâs review of ineffectiveness for failure to investigate must be assessed for
16
reasonableness under all the circumstances, applying a heavy measurement of
deference to counselâs judgments. Id.citing Strickland,466 U.S. at 691
, 104 S.C.t
at 2066.
C. Application
1. Petitioner Fails to Present a Cognizable Claim
Petitioner fails to bring a cognizable claim of ineffective assistance before
this Court because the factual basis for which she now seeks relief was not pled in
her application. TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1; Ex parte Evans, 410 S.W.3d at 485. Petitionerâs application pled that her trial counsel âfailed to callâ witnesses, which is a legally discrete claim from âfailure to investigate,â requiring a review of different factual bases, such as establishing that the witness was available and that the witnessâ testimony would have actually benefited the defense. See Alvarado v. State, No. 04-03-00289-CR,2006 WL 332536
at *3 (Tex. App.âSan Antonio 2006, pet. refâd) (citing King v. State,649 S.W.2d 42, 44
(Tex. Crim. App. 1983)); see also Perez,403 S.W.3d at 250
. Because a âfailure to investigateâ complaint is
not the same as the âfailure to callâ complaint Petitioner pled in her writ
application, she has failed to present anything for this court to review. See WCR I:
7-9.
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2. Petitioner Fails to Meet Her Burden Under Strickland
a. There is no evidence that counselâs performance fell below the objective
standard of reasonableness
Here, the record is completely silent as to what measures Petitionerâs counsel
took to investigate her case before trial. Nowhere in the record is there any evidence
of whether or not her trial counsel sought to verify whether either party had been
charged or arrested. Petitionerâs trial counsel has also not had an opportunity to
testify in his own defense regarding what actions he took to investigate her case
before trial, and what his rationale was for his course of action. Petitioner alone
bears the burden of establishing by a preponderance of the evidence that her trial
counselâs performance fell below the objective standard of reasonableness in the
manner in which he investigated her case. See Strickland, 466 U.S. 687, 687-94,104 S. Ct. 2052, 2064-68
. Petitioner assumes but has presented no evidence at all of her trial counselâs failure to investigate. Accordingly, finding of ineffectiveness would require impermissible speculation based on a silent record. Perez v. State,403 S.W.3d 246, 250
(Tex. App.âHouston [14th Dist.] 2008). This Court should not entertain a finding of ineffectiveness until trial counsel has had the opportunity to explain his actions. Rylander,101 S.W.3d at 111
.
18
b. There is no showing of a reasonable probability that the outcome would
have been different but for counselâs error
Assuming, for the sake of argument, that Petitionerâs counsel did err by
failing to investigate whether the other parties had been charged or arrested, she
fails to present any evidence to satisfy her burden of proving that, but for that error,
there exists a reasonable probability that the outcome of her trial would have been
different. Strickland, 466 U.S. 687, 687-94,104 S. Ct. 2052, 2064-68
. A âreasonable probabilityâ is a âprobability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome.â Strickland,466 U.S. at 694
,104 S. Ct. at 2068
. There is nothing on the record to indicate that the outcome of Petitionerâs trial would have been any different absent any supposed failure to investigate on the part of her trial counsel. Because there is no evidence of a reasonable probability that the outcome of Petitionerâs trial would have been different, and because trial counselâs conduct must be considered under all the circumstances, this Court should not entertain a finding of ineffectiveness based on a silent record. Perez,403 S.W.3d at 250
; Rylander,101 S.W.3d at 111
; Strickland,466 U.S. at 691
, 104 S. C.t at 2066.
Because Petitioner has failed to meet her burden of establishing either of the
required prongs of her ineffective assistance claim by a preponderance of the
evidence, the Court should overrule her second point of error. See Rylander, 101
S.W.3d at 110.
19
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Petitioner has failed to bring a cognizable claim before this
Court because she failed to plead her appellate grounds for relief in her Application
for Writ of Habeas Corpus. Furthermore, Petitioner has failed to establish her
entitlement to relief for her complaints of false evidence, prosecutorial misconduct,
and ineffective assistance by a preponderance of the evidence. Therefore, this Court
should overrule Petitionerâs first and second points of error and affirm the decision
of the lower appellate court.
PRAYER
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Respondent respectfully prays
that this Court AFFIRM the trial courtâs judgment and deny Petitionerâs request to
reverse the courtâs judgments of conviction, punishment, and denial of application
for writ of habeas corpus.
Respectfully Submitted,
/s/ Bill Moore
BILL MOORE
JOHNSON COUNTY ATTORNEY
Guinn Justice Center
204 South Buffalo Avenue
4th Floor, Suite 410
Cleburne, Texas 76033-5404
Telephone: 817.556.6330
Facsimile: 817.556.6331
efilecao@johnsoncountytx.org
State Bar No. 14321100
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/s/ Colby Rideout
Colby Rideout
Assistant County Attorney
Guinn Justice Center
204 South Buffalo Avenue
4th Floor, Suite 410
Cleburne, Texas 76033-5404
Telephone: 817.556.6330
Facsimile: 817.556.6331
crideout@johnsoncountytx.org
State Bar No. 24073106
21
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
I hereby certify that this document complies with the typeface requirements
of Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.4(e) as it has been prepared in a
conventional typeface no smaller than 14-point for text and 12-point for footnotes.
Further, this document complies with the word-count limitations of Texas Rule of
Appellate Procedure 9.4(i), if applicable, because it contains 4,526 words. This
document was drafted in Microsoft Word 2013.
/s/ Colby Rideout
Colby Rideout
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing instrument has
been served upon:
Hon. George B. Mackey
121 N. Rayner Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76111
gmackey1@me.com
electronically on this the 22nd day of December 2017.
/s/ Colby Rideout
Colby Rideout
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